Raptors Galore- Chatterley Whitfield Colliery

Yesterday, on what was a miserable rainy evening, we decided to head up north to Stoke, specifically Chatterley Whitfield, to try and see the Red-Footed Falcon reported there at the colliery.  The weather improved as we travelled and when we arrived it was still dull but not with rain or persistent dark cloud.    Chatting to one of the men, he told us that the area had recently come to life, with Little Owl showing frequently and a Black Redstart just around the corner.  Talking to the gentleman's son, the falcon had just flew over the nearby telegraph pole but would (he was assured) return shortly.  It was about 8:10PM that a small black falcon flew over and I raised the alarm.  It was him, the 1st summer male just  flown in extremely close and hovering just like a Kestrel.  He then perched on the nearby line (something he does as a routine I'm told) giving opportunities for good shots of him.  I am also informed that the particular individual has got so used to human company that if anyone throws anything into the field, he will swoop down and grab it!

Red-Footed Falcon silhouette as he flew in

1st summer male Red-Footed Falcon

After getting our fill of this amazing little bird we decided to follow some others through the colliery in search of Barn Owl; two pairs have chicks in the abandoned buildings with smashed windows and often perch on the ledges.  The area is extremely good for Kestrel as well, with many hunting over us and an adult female who perched on a wheel to fed her nearly full grown female juveniles.  Buzzards and Sparrowhawks flew over too,  alongside vast numbers of Swift and Swallow.  As we reached the spot where you could clearly see the house, a man already there told us that the female owl had just gone off hunting but the male was still in there along with a full grown chick who had just perched on the fence outside the building.  None of us saw the female while we were there and the male took over half an hour to show himself.  It was after a couple had just arrived that I glanced at the window and saw the male owl perched on the ledge and then fly off down the valley, combing the hillside as he went.  Well worth the wait!  On the way back to the car, a crowd were still watching the Falcon, who was now hovering even more in the faint light and still faithfully returning to the wire.  A successful evening all round with numerous raptors and other species.  Countryfile apparently filmed up here, and I can see why- it truly is an urban oasis!

A Wren's Tale

It was in mid March of 2014, that when I entered the garden shed to retrieve a tennis racquet, I was startled to find an adult Wren perched next to me, who quickly disappeared down the side where the wood has rotted away.  I then noticed that a small nest had started to be constructed in the arch at the back of the shed.  Throughout the beginning of Spring, I monitored the progress of the Wrens, who entered the shed through the slight gap in the roof.  It was a most surprising record because very few if any Wrens have been present in my garden for over three years.  After a while, the birds stopped sining so frequently, and one day, as I happened to glance into the shed, I found the female incubating a clutch of eggs.  Then in mid May on a very hot day, I looked in and to my delight saw two freshly hatched chicks, their mouths open as a means of cooling down.  The adult had the warring task of feeding them and although there may have been a third chick, only two were seen at one time.  The date of fledging is unknown when as I knew the nest was vacated, I took it down, and I marvelled at the intricacy and delicate way it was built.  The inside was smoothed down with Woodpigeon feathers and moss, whilst the outside was essentially Bamboo form the plant in the garden.

Wren's nest from 2014

I began to wonder then whether the same bird would occupy the nest the following year.  On the 29th of March earlier this year, I happily noted that they had indeed begun to build a new nest in exactly the same place as last year.  The female began incubating on the 17th of May with the first hatched chick noticed on the 22nd of the same month.  On the 28th a second chick was present and on the 30th another two were seen.  Then on the 4th of June, I heard noises coming from the shed and saw that one of the Wrens had fledged and was trying to escape.  With some coaxing from myself, he went down the side and out into the hedge.  With all the excitement, I did not notice that the ethers had begun to fledge too, so after about 5 minutes, there was about 4/5 chicks on the floor around me.  Fortunately they managed to fly up to the top of the fence, sit there until they could fly more effectively and then flew into my neighbours hedge where their parents were calling.  One by one each chick did the same, anxiously calling for their parents.  After 10 minutes, all had successfully fledged and had joined their parents.  Not a bad days work!

Newly fledged Wren

Wren fledgling on the fence

It was today that, after I was certain no more broods were hatched, I took the new nest down to have a look.  Its appearance was slightly different than the last, more of an arch than a full circle.  It was then that I noticed two tiny unhatched eggs in the bottom.  They had obviously not been incubated enough back in May and had not come to anything.  It was striking that they were barely as big as a Daisy.

The new nest fro 2015

One of the two eggs found

Size comparison with Daisy

Amazing how such tiny eggs would result in 4 or 5 healthy and much larger chicks- another successful year for them.  This Christmas, I will hopefully buy an infra-red camera in order to put inside the shed and see them in more detail if they breed there again.  But will they?  We shall just have to wait and see!

Breeding Migrants- Wyre Forest

Yesterday we decided to walk along the old railway line in the Wyre Forest in order to see some of the recently arrived spring migrants.  Both Wood and Garden Warbler were in abundance, along with Chiffchaff, Bullfinch, Mallard and a distant calling Cuckoo was noted.  We were however, still looking for the Pied Flycatchers that breed in the area and having no luck, sat on a stump overlooking the Knowles Coppice Reserve.  It was then that we spotted a small bird not 10 metres away from us.  So we followed it down one of the paths and found it was in fact a Female Pied Flycatcher!  Not only that, but it was collecting material (mostly moss) to line its nest with (inside a nest box).  Shortly afterwards, the stunning Male arrived- a truly handsome bird, which guarded the nest box while the female was away gathering materials.  Theses birds are declining in the area so hopefully this pair can successfully raise a brood this summer.

Male Pied Flycatcher

Male and Female At The Nest Box

Male and Female taking turns at the Nest

Female collecting Moss

Female Pied Flycatcher

Female Pied Flycatcher

Starting Off- Otmoor

I have recently decided to create my own birding blog after being inspired by others who successfully do the same.  I intend to catalogue all of my birding journeys and species I encounter starting this.

Whilst in Oxfordshire yesterday I decided to have a brief trip to Otmoor (RSPB), despite torrential rain. Waterfowl included: Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, 5 White-Fronted Goose and Mute Swan.  Later on a party of Wigeon flew in, only to be spooked by an overhead flypast from a Female (Ringtail) Hen Harrier.  Waders included:  Lapwing, Golden Plover, Oystercatcher, Redshank, and Common Snipe.  Other birds of interest were Chiffchaffs, numerous Little Egrets and Grey Heron, with one particular individual on its nest.

Female Hen Harrier